INVISIBLE TOUCH - by Kelly Parra

My guest today on the Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit Lit Blog tour is Kelly Parra with her latest novel (for ages 13 and up), INVISIBLE TOUCH, published by MTV Books.

Do you believe in fate?

Kara Martinez has been trying to be "normal" ever since the accident that took her father's life when she was eleven years old. She's buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be -- compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.

Because Kara has a gift -- one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person's fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she's been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she's been warned about -- until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it's her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it's too late...or lead her even further into danger?

"A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel."
-- Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret

"Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish."
-- Tina Ferraro, author of How To Hook A Hottie

"The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context." -- TeensReadToo

"Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch."—The Salinas Californian

Kelly is also the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit her Web site or follow the Secret Fates blog. View the book trailer for Invisible Touch here.

Kelly took the time to answer a few of my questions...

What is one thing you've learned about the publishing industry since getting your first book deal?

One thing I've learned is that when you don't have publisher backing with marketing, its really hard to get attention for your book. Authors have to work hard to try and get new readers aware of their titles.

How do you approach writing your novel? Do you outline the plot? Start with a character or...?

I start with the character, then plot, then I create the conflict that interlaces with both. I'm a lot about plotting as I go.

What is the elevator pitch for Invisible Touch?

Invisible Touch is Tru Calling meets an edgier Nancy Drew, where a teenage girl sees signs on individuals' torsos and must piece the signs together in order stop unfortunate fates.

What is your writing schedule like?

I write for a couple of hours after I take my kids to school and then I again in the evening after I get them to bed. I don't have a set schedule, mostly because with a family things are always coming up. So I do what I can, when I can. :)

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I'm definitely a TV series addict. I love Supernatural, Heroes, and NCIS.

Thanks, Kelly! Best of luck with INVISIBLE TOUCH!